Buzzing in the Greenhouse

Posted by Allyson

The greenhouse has been buzzing with action this spring as Be@the Farm, a partnership program with the Northern Suburban Special Education District (NSSED), gets underway for its second year. The program is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) entity similar to a booster at other schools or districts. In essence, community members buy a membership or share of the CSA and then receive a box of fresh produce from the garden each week during the growing season. Support from CSA and booster club members provides funding for program uniforms and greenhouse, outdoor planting and winter project supplies used by the students – all of which are costs that fall outside of what is traditionally budgeted for instructional programs. This community-based experience provides students in NSSED educational programs and in local school district programs with the opportunity to receive agricultural instruction outside of the traditional school setting and to develop the confidence and skills to pursue future endeavors in the horticultural and agricultural fields.

If you're interested in learning more about the partnership program and possibly getting involved either as a volunteer or as a supporter, you can e-mail NSSED at volunteer@nssed.org or visit them online at www.nssed.org/beatthefarm.